Scottish Executive

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what training its Environment and Rural Affairs Department’s staff will receive in the assessment criteria for the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

Ross Finnie: Staff in the Environment and Rural Affairs Department are receiving training on the introduction of the Single Farm Payment Scheme and this will continue, as new tasks are required.

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what appeals procedure will be put in place for farmers and crofters appealing against decisions made by its Environment and Rural Affairs Department’s (SEERAD) officials under the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

Ross Finnie: The European Regulation, upon which the Single Farm Payment Scheme is based, comes into effect from 1 January 2005 and I intend to extend the existing formal appeals mechanism, the Agricultural Subsidies (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 to cater for the new scheme. This will provide an accessible and affordable way for producers to challenge SEERAD’s decisions to refuse, reduce, or recover support.

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department’s (SEERAD) officials will be involved in each farm Assessment in respect of the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

Ross Finnie: The number of staff involved in any inspection assessment will reflect the scale of the farming enterprise under review. I recognise the concerns of farmers and crofters about the numbers of potential inspectors – both from SEERAD and specialist bodies - and have tasked my officials to bring in a co-ordinated approach that avoids duplication of effort and unnecessary visits.

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of money will be retained by its Environment and Rural Affairs Department as a result of any errors made by farmers and crofters in the implementation of the requirements for the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

Ross Finnie: European regulatory penalties incurred by farmers and crofters will depend on the nature and extent of the producer’s non-compliance with scheme requirements. Infringements will come in two categories: firstly, application-related errors, for example late claims and over-declaration of land areas. This category exists at present and the European legislation sets out percentage reductions in accordance with the scale of the error. Farmers and crofters will be familiar with these requirements and the penalties for infringement. The second category concerns failures to comply with Cross-Compliance conditions. In some circumstances, farmers and crofters will not be penalised for minor or technical infringements of the rules. Otherwise, penalties are scaled according to the nature and severity of the non-compliance: a simple failure arising from negligence will result in a 3% penalty whereas a deliberate breach of the rules could mean a 20% reduction or in some cases exclusion from the scheme for the following year.

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland’s share of 25% of any unspent money from the Single Farm Payment Scheme will be re-allocated and, if so, whether it will be re-allocated for agricultural purposes.

Ross Finnie: Funds for agricultural subsidies are drawn as necessary from EC funds and there is no right to unspent money. However, Council regulation (EC) 1782-2003 does provide that member states will be able to retain sums equivalent to 25% of any penalties imposed because of non-compliance by farmers with the Single Farm Payment Scheme cross-compliance rules. This is in line with the practice on current Common Agricultural Policy subsidy schemes and is intended to offset some of the cost of administering the schemes. Currently the sums are credited to the Scottish Executive administration budget and plans for the Scottish Executive Administration Budget currently include an assumed £80,000 a year for such retained income.

Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued to local authorities regarding the implementation of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.

Ms Margaret Curran: Draft guidance was published for consultation on measures in parts 1 to 6 of the act on 9 July. Documents were issued to local authorities and other stakeholders on:

  Antisocial Behaviour Strategies

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders

  Dispersal of Groups

  Closure of Premises

  Noise Nuisance

  Graffiti Removal

  These documents will be amended in the light of the consultation responses and published in time for commencement of the relevant provisions of the act.

  Draft guidance has also been issued to local authorities taking forward the pilot on Community Reparation Orders.

  Further guidance will be issued in relation to other provisions of the act in accordance with plans for implementation of these measures.

Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will collate figures on how many antisocial behaviour orders are pursued and granted by each local authority in implementing the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.

Ms Margaret Curran: Yes. Independent research has been commissioned into the use of Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), which will include information on orders pursued and granted in each local authority area. Information can also be collated from the records of orders which local authorities will be required to maintain under section 15 of the act.

Breastfeeding

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what effect six-hour patient discharge policies in respect of maternity care are having on breastfeeding targets in the Lothians.

Malcolm Chisholm: Data linking the time of discharge and the breastfeeding rate is not currently available. For 2003 NHS Lothian had one of the highest rates of breastfeeding in Scotland at 47.8% of mothers breastfeeding at six weeks.

  NHS Lothian is committed to having the highest possible rates of breastfeeding in mothers and as such provides intensive support to mothers both in the hospital and at home.

  The Simpsons Maternity Unit at the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary has recently been re-accredited as a UNICEF/WHO Baby Friendly hospital, an award given to health care facilities which adopt practices to support successful breastfeeding.

Dentistry

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that patients still have access to local NHS dental care in communities where the sole provider of dental services announces its intention to withdraw from NHS provision.

Mr Tom McCabe: Responsibility for the overall provision of NHS dental services in an area rests with the NHS board. NHS boards are encouraged to apply to Scottish ministers for approval for salaried dentist posts where they consider that there is a gap in provision, which cannot be filled by other means, or to maintain provision.

External Relations

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to follow up any of the ministerial and other activities scheduled as part of its contribution to the Scotland in the Netherlands series of events.

Mr Andy Kerr: Individual policy areas in the Scottish Executive taking part in the Scotland in the Netherlands programme will follow up the ministerial programme. The nature of the follow up will vary depending on the individual activity. In some cases the follow up activity may be an influencing of future policy decisions based on knowledge gained through the Dutch experience. In other cases follow up may be of a more tangible nature such as the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s intention to offer a further scientific seminar in Scotland next year, as they did following the Scotland in Sweden programme in 2002.

Ferry Services

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop commuter ferry services between Fife and Edinburgh.

Nicol Stephen: Fife Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Forth Estuary Transport Authority and Forth Ports have commissioned an initial study into Options for a Cross Forth Passenger Service. The Scottish Executive has no current plans to develop commuter ferry services between Fife and Edinburgh, but I await the publication of the report with interest.

Freight

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what freight facilities grants have been awarded in each year since 1998-99.

Nicol Stephen: Freight Facilities Grant awards in Scotland since 1998-99:

  1998-99

  

Award
Amount of Award
Date Awarded


Safeway Stores plc – Mossend, Inverness, Nairn, Elgin and Buckie 
£680,000
November 1998


Annual Total
£680,000



  1999-2000

  

Award
Amount of Award
Date Awarded


LAW Mining Ltd – Ayrshire
£2,548,000
September 1999


TDG Nexus – Grangemouth (1)
£9,700,000
September 1999


Associated British Ports – Ayr
£4,410,000
February 2000


ST Services Ltd – Leith
£74,000
March 2000


Forth Ports plc – Leith
£81,000
March 2000


Safeway Stores plc – Mossend, Thurso, Wick, Kirkwall and Ullapool
£897,000
March 2000


Annual Total
£18,583,000



  2000-01

  

Award
Amount of Award
Date Awarded


Iggesund Paperboard – Lochaline, Highlands 
£693,000
December 2000


BP Oil UK Ltd – Grangemouth, Dyce, Fort William, Kilmarnock, Lairg
£10,044,000
December 2000


WH Malcolm Ltd – Grangemouth (3)
£878,000
December 2000


Annual Total
£11,988,000



  2001-02

  

Award
Amount of Award
Date Awarded


Thurso Building Supplies – Caithness
£289,000
December 2001


Forth Ports plc– Rosyth, Zeebrugge(4)
£10,969,000
December 2001


Annual Total
£21,008,000



  2002-03

  

Award
Amount of Award
Date Awarded


ASDA – Grangemouth 
£74,600
November 2002


Iggesund Paperboard – Portavadie, Argyll and Bute (5)
£223,000
March 2003


CLYDEBoyd Ltd – Corpach (6)
£3,300,000
March 2003


Salt Union Ltd– Grangemouth 
£467,000
March 2003


Annual Total
£5,942,900



  2003-04

  

Award
Amount of Award
Date Awarded


English, Welsh & Scottish Railways Ltd– Mossend 
£654,000
November 2003


WH Malcolm Ltd – Grangemouth
£882,000
November 2003 


Norfrost Ltd - Thurso
£642,000
March 2004


Annual Total
£6,072,000



  Notes:

  1. Includes a contribution of £6.467 million from Department for Transport (DfT) for environmental benefits secured in England.

  2. This award was made and financed by DfT.

  3. Includes a contribution of £0.632 million from DfT for environmental benefits secured in England.

  4. This award was made by DfT but financed by the Scottish Executive.

  5. This award was made and financed by DfT.

  6. This award was made and financed by DfT.

Health

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the mid-year population was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European Health For All database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the population was aged (a) 0 to 14 and (b) 65 and over in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many live births there were in each year since 1999, expressed also per 1,000 head of population and calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the crude death rate per 1,000 head of population was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of the urban population was for every year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average population density per square kilometre was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for diseases of the digestive system for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for chronic liver disease and cirrhosis for people (a) aged 0 to 64 and (b) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for endocrine, nutrition and metabolic disease/disorder involving immune mechanism for people (a) aged 0 to 64 and (b) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for diabetes for people (a) aged 0 to 64 and (b) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for diseases of blood and blood-forming organs for people (a) aged 0 to 64 and (b) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for mental disorder and disease of the nervous system and the sense organ for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for disease of the genito-urinary system for people (a) aged 0 to 64 and (b) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for symptoms, signs and ill-defined conditions for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for tuberculosis in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for diarrhoeal diseases for children under five in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for acute respiratory infections, pneumonia and influenza in children under five in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for selected alcohol-related causes in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for selected smoking-related causes in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the life expectancy in years was at (a) birth, (b) one year, (c) 15 years, (d) 45 years and (e) 65 years in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of (a) infant and (b) neonatal deaths was per 1,000 live births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of early neonatal deaths was per 1,000 live births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of early neonatal deaths was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of (a) late and (b) post neonatal deaths was per 1,000 live births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of foetal deaths was per 1,000 births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of dead-born foetuses was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of perinatal deaths was per 1,000 births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of maternal deaths was per 100,000 live births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of maternal deaths from (a) abortion, (b) haemorrhage, (c) toxaemia of pregnancy and (d) puerperium was per 100,000 live births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was for diseases of the circulatory system for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was for ischaemic heart disease for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for cerebrovascular disease, for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for other circulatory system diseases, as defined in the World Health Organization’s European health for all database, for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for cancer of the cervix for women (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for malignant neoplasm of breast, for women (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was for external causes of injury and poison for people (a) aged 0 to 4 and (b) 5 to 19 years in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for external cause injury and poison for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for motor vehicle and traffic accidents for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for other external causes, as defined in the World Health Organization’s European health for all database, for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for suicide and self-inflicted injury for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for transport accidents in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for all causes, as defined in the World Health Organization’s European health for all database, for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for infectious and parasitic diseases for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for diseases of the respiratory system for people (a) aged 0 to 64, (b) aged 65 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for bronchitis, emphysema and asthma for people (a) aged 0 to 64 and (b) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age-standardised death rate was per 100,000 head of population for diseases of the digestive system for people of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of calories available per person, per day (kcal) was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of total energy available from fat was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much fat was available per person, per day in grams in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of total energy available from proteins was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much protein was available per person, per day in grams in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average amount of cereal available per person, per year in kilograms was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average amount of fruits and vegetables available per person, per year in kilograms was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of outbreaks of microbiological food-borne diseases was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of outbreaks of microbiological food-borne diseases was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of salmonellosis cases was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of new cases of occupational diseases was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of new cases of certified occupational diseases was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of persons injured due to work-related accidents was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of persons injured due to work-related accidents was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the sulphur dioxide emissions were per kilogram, per capita, per year in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of hospital beds was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of hospital beds was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of acute care hospital beds was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of acute care hospital beds was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of psychiatric hospital beds was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of psychiatric hospital beds was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of nursing and elderly homes’ beds was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of nursing and elderly homes’ beds was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of private in-patient hospital beds was as a percentage of all hospital beds in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of private in-patient hospital beds was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what total health expenditure was as a percentage of gross domestic product as estimated by the World Health Organization in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what total health expenditure was in purchasing power parities per capita expressed in US dollars in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what total health expenditure was in purchasing power parities per capita expressed in US dollars as estimated by the World Health Organization in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what public health expenditure was as a percentage of total health expenditure in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what public health expenditure was as a percentage of total health expenditure as estimated by the World Health Organization in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what total pharmaceutical expenditure was as a percentage of total health expenditure in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the pharmaceutical expenditure was in purchasing power parities per capita expressed in US dollars in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the public pharmaceutical expenditure was as a percentage of total pharmaceutical expenditure in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of abortions was per 1,000 live births for women (a) aged under 20 years, (b) aged 35 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of abortions was for women (a) aged under 20 years, (b) aged 35 or over and (c) of all ages in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of congenital anomalies was per 100,000 live births in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of births with congenital anomalies was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of infants vaccinated against tuberculosis was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of infants vaccinated against diphtheria was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of infants vaccinated against measles was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of infants vaccinated against poliomyelitis was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the question S2W-10305 answered on 22 September 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Health

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of physicians working in hospitals was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization's European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of general practitioners (PP) was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of general practitioners (PP) was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of nurses (FTE) was per 100,000 head of population in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the number of nurses (FTE) was in each year since 1999, calculated on the same basis as the World Health Organization’s European health for all database.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive has commissioned work to publish the Scottish figures for data contained in the World Health Organization Europe report: Health for All .

  This will be available in due course and will be placed in the Parliament Reference Centre (Bib. number 33907).

Historic Buildings

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost to it was of legal action taken against it by Wallets’ Marts of Castle Douglas when all factors have been accounted for.

Ross Finnie: Apart from some minimal staff costs, there will be no cost to the Scottish Executive arising from the defence of the action raised by Wallets Marts. All sums awarded by the court, legal costs etc. will be met by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Housing

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to advise all students who will reside in rented accommodation that they should seek sight of a gas safety certificate for the property before taking up residence.

Ms Margaret Curran: I recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords in private rented housing. The new website, www.betterrentingscotland.com, provides information on a range of issues, including the legal requirement to have annual gas safety checks carried out and to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to tenants. The website is being promoted through student accommodation services in addition to more general advertising. We also welcome the campaign by Scottish Gas to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide to students.

Housing

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to promote the use of carbon monoxide detectors in rented accommodation.

Ms Margaret Curran: Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, all landlords are required to have annual gas safety checks carried out by a contractor registered with the Council of Registered Gas Installers, and to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to every tenant. Enforcement of these regulations is dealt with by the Health and Safety Executive.

  I recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords in private rented housing. The new website, www.betterrentingscotland.com, makes clear the requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations. The national core standards recommended for adoption by local voluntary landlord accreditation schemes include the provision of carbon monoxide detectors. For houses in multiple occupation, it is for each licensing authority to decide whether to require carbon monoxide detectors to be provided.

Maternity Services

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how six-hour patient discharge policies and reduction in the number of maternity beds in NHS Lothian have affected its plans for greater community midwife provision, domino care and home births.

Malcolm Chisholm: The time of discharge after childbirth is a joint decision made by the mother and health professionals taking into account the clinical needs of mother and baby. Shorter stays after childbirth, due to developments in clinical care, and improved home support from community midwifery teams has resulted in a lower requirement for inpatient maternity beds.

  NHS Lothian are working closely with regional planning partners to continue to provide a sustainable maternity service in the future.

  NHS Lothian will continue to provide a high level of integrated maternity care both in the hospital and in the community.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of operating, maintaining and renewing the railway infrastructure in each year since 1998-99 and what the forecast costs are for each year to 2008-09.

Nicol Stephen: The cost of operating, maintaining and renewing the railway infrastructure is an operational matter for Network Rail.

  Details of Network Rail’s previous and planned expenditure can be found in their Business Plans which are published annually and in the Office of the Rail Regulator’s Interim Review of Track Access Charges Final Conclusions published in December 2003.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of public subsidy was to the ScotRail passenger franchise in each year since 1998-99 and what subsidy is forecast for the duration of the new passenger franchise.

Nicol Stephen: The franchise payments received by ScotRail since 1998-99 are detailed in the following table.

  

 
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004 Extension


ScotRail Franchise Payments 
(£ Million)

280.18

270.00

248.57

214.26

230.08
 


251.67

122.1
(forecast)



  This information was collated from the Strategic Rail Authority Annual Report 2003-04.

  The forecast subsidy for the duration of the new franchise is:

  

 
2004-05
(part year)
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
(part year)


ScotRail Subsidy
(£ Million)

100.30


191.40

263.90

269.50

284.70

289.20

292.70

156.50



  The cost of the franchise is impacted on by the level of fixed Track Access Charges (TACs), which are set by the Office of Rail Regulation. The outcome of the regulator’s recent review of TACs has meant that the projected funding in the early years of the franchise has been reduced. From 2006-07 and beyond the TACs will rise again.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make its submission to the recent rail review public.

Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-10079 answered on 15 September 2004. All the answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Regulation

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans and policies it has in place to establish regeneration companies to facilitate local economic regeneration.

Ms Margaret Curran: Following the recent consultation on Urban Regeneration Companies Scottish ministers announced on 30 June 2004 that projects in Craigmillar, Raploch and Clydebank would be designated as pathfinder Urban Regeneration Companies and that £20 million of grant support would be offered to the projects in 2004-05 and 2005-06. The Executive is working with a wider group of projects across Scotland some of which may also in time become Urban Regeneration Companies.

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued to registration bodies in respect of the medical fitness of teachers, including those in training.

Peter Peacock: None: But following the coming into force of The Teachers Registration (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2004 we will work with local authorities to prepare guidance.

Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill

Frances Curran (West of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the decision of the Competition Appeals Tribunal on Aquavitae (UK) Limited v Director General of Water, it intends to sell water wholesale for retail supply before the enactment of the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill and whether legal advice has been obtained on the issue and, if so, what opinion was given.

Ross Finnie: The Executive recently introduced the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill, which responds to the implications of the Competition Act 1998 for the water industry in Scotland. The bill proposes that the Water Industry Commission, among the charge limits that it determines in November 2005 as the outcome of the Strategic Review of Water Charges 2006-10, would set a price for wholesale water services. That price would be available to licensed water services retail providers under the Water Services Bill.

  This decision is not directly related to the judgement of the Competition Appeals Tribunal referred to but the Executive believes it to be not inconsistent with that judgement.